The floodgates opened last weekend with more than a dozen new releases led by 'The Personal History of David Copperfield', plus several re-issues as more cinemas resumed trading.
Universal's 'The Invisible Man' is getting a second lease of theatrical life thanks to drive-ins and newly re-opened cinemas in Western Australia, Adelaide and Alice Springs.
Drive-in cinemas in Adelaide and Heddon Greta near Newcastle resumed trading last Friday, drawing big crowds, as a survey of more than 20,000 Australians showed 98 per cent look forward to cinemas re-opening.
Melbourne's Cinema Nova, the Eddie Tamir family-owned cinemas and Village Cinemas' Coburg drive-in will re-open next month - but indications are that most cinemas in other states are unlikely to turn on the lights until July.
Kids and families are flocking to the Jumanji, Star Wars and Frozen sequels while adults are embracing the original titles Jojo Rabbit, Little Women and The Gentlemen.
David Simpson is departing Roadshow Films to join South Australian-based Wallis Cinemas as programming manager
Sasha Close, one of Australia's most respected exhibitors, has resigned as national programming manager at Wallis Cinemas after 16 years with the Adelaide-based company.
The box office results for the Australian films and feature docs released in cinemas this year underline yet again the deep polarisation in the indie film market between the higher earners and the also-rans.